HAMPDEN PARK will be transformed into a vaccination centre next week as part of efforts to step up the Covid booster programme.

A large number of appointments have now been made available at the venue, which will provide jags on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. 

The facility will also offer drop-in clinics on Sundays where no appointment is required.

The move comes as "hundreds" of people were turned away from their booster jags in Glasgow yesterday. 

READ MORE: Some wait hours as people in Glasgow queue for boosters on day three

Health chiefs have since apologised for any cancelled appointments, ruling the chaos down to "extremely high demand".

Labour councillor Maureen Burke - who represents the North East of Glasgow - told how she had to wait an hour in a queue before she received her jag. 

Glasgow Times: Cllr Maureen BurkeCllr Maureen Burke (Image: Maureen Burke)

She said: “It was mayhem. My husband and I booked in for a booster and we were told not to turn up too early. When we got there, the queue was down the front door and spiralled right around the bus shelter.

“We had to wait an hour or so before we got inside. I spoke to a few people who were told that staff had been given 10 minutes to hand out 50 vaccinations.

“They told us that they were closing the door at 7pm and there was still a massive queue, I thought it would turn into absolute mayhem.

“They closed the doors and hundreds of people were still due their appointments. There were people in wheelchairs and people who had been more than an hour.

“I am very concerned that the same situation will end up happening again this evening.”

Glasgow Times:

READ MORE: Glasgow woman snubs four hour vaccine queue for Christmas shopping as centres see THIRD day of queues

The local health board has said that it will move staff to centres where there are larger numbers of appointments. 

While some were turned away from booster jag appointments yesterday, health chiefs have assured that vaccination centres hold the correct equipment for storing jags overnight. 

A spokesperson from NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde said: "We would like to thank all our staff for their hard work in the vaccination effort, and members of the public for continuing to come forward and roll up their sleeves.

"We apologise to any patient who was turned away from our clinic to avoid queuing unnecessarily. This was due to extremely high demand, which meant that large numbers of people were already queuing within the premises.

"Our staff are working tirelessly to administer as many vaccines as possible, and we would remind people to treat all those working at our vaccination centres with respect.

"We would also like to make clear that the centre has vaccine fridges to store vaccine. 

"The announcement of the new variant has significantly increased the numbers of people coming forward for their boosters, while the number of those eligible for vaccines has also increased substantially. Where there are larger numbers than expected, we try to ensure we have as many staff on as possible to administer jags.

"Similarly, where there are sites with low uptake rates, we will move staff as appropriate."

Scotland will need to deliver nearly 80,000 jags each day due to the rapid spread of the Omicron variant, MSPs have been told.

If you have missed your appointment, please call the national helpline on 0800 030 8013 and you will be able to book a new one.

Otherwise, visit HERE for more information on drop-in clinics.